Education Resources & Financial Aid For Military Families
Traditionally, military spouses have had difficulty establishing a career due to how frequently military families are required to move. The Department of Defense recognized this missed spousal opportunity and created a portable career program called the Military Spouse Career Advancement Account (MyCAA). In a joint effort, the Departments of Labor and Defense created a list of occupations projected to grow out through 2016. Five fields with good growth potential have been identified--human resources, law enforcement, education and training, health, and computer science/network management.
Under the MyCAA program, eligible military spouses can receive up to $6,000 in educational benefits to pursue a degree, certification, or license leading to employment in a one of the portable career fields. The MyCAA program pays for cost that include tuition, books, supplies, exams, and certifications and licenses. The program does not pay for transportation, child care, parking, or certain fees like a student activity card.
A collection of 1,800 schools make up the Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges (SOC). The consortium offers associate's through graduate degree programs through a variety of resident and distance learning venues. The SOC was specifically established to address the difficulty of military members and their families being able to get a postsecondary education due to moving frequently. The four key tenets of the SOC program are:
- Reasonable credit transfer so students lose less credit and avoid duplication of classes
- No more than 25 percent campus-resident courses so more classes can be completed through distance learning
- Awarding credit for military training and experience, thereby reducing the number of courses required to graduate
- Awarding credit for at least one of the nationally-recognized testing services, such as Defense Activities for Non-traditional Education Support (DANTES) or College Level Education Program (CLEP)
While each service branch has their own SOC program, they all offer both associate's and bachelor's degree programs for servicemembers and their families.
Army Educational Financial Aid Programs
While some of the financial aid programs are military-wide, others are branch specific. Administered by the Army Emergency Relief, the Army Family Education Assistance has several spousal education programs:
- Stateside Spouse Education Assistance Program (SSEAP) provides assistance to spouses of both active and retired Army soldiers, along with the widows or widowers of deceased soldiers (active or retired). The Army spouse must reside stateside and can receive up to $2,900 per year toward full-time schooling at a college, university, or vocational school. The SSEAP starts again in December 2009 and applications must be submitted by March 1, 2010.
- Overseas Spouse Education Assistance Program (OSEAP) provides assistance to Army spouses living overseas. It is a need-based program for spouses who want to attend classes in an undergraduate program. Applicants must postmark the Term 2 application and supporting documents by September 21, 2009.
Air Force Educational Financial Aid Programs
The Air Force administers education assistance through the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS), also know as "The Official Charity of the U.S. Air Force." the Air Force Aid Society (AFAS) administers a number of assistance programs, including one for education.
- Henry H. Arnold Education Grant Program provides grants of $2,000 to sons and daughters of active, retired, and deceased Air Force members along with stateside spouses. The applications period begins on November 1, 2009.
- General George S. Brown, Spouse Tuition Assistance Program (STAP) is another assistance program administered by the AFSA. This grant provides overseas spouses with partial tuition assistance to provide greater occupational opportunities. The purpose of the program is to meet 50 percent of unpaid tuition costs up to a maximum of $1,500 per academic year.
Navy and Marine Educational Financial Aid Programs
The Navy and Marines have their own programs to help sailors, Marines, and their families with educational aid. The Navy-Marine Corps Relief Society (NMCRS) has several educational programs:
- Vice Admiral E.P. Travers Loan Program provides interest-free loans from $500 to $3,000 per academic year to active duty and retired Navy and Marine Corps personnel dependent children and active duty spouses.
- Admiral Mike Boorda Loan Program offers loans in the amount of $500 to $3,000 for sailors or Marines accepted into one of three commissioning programs. The annual deadline to submit applications is May 1.
Coast Guard Educational Financial Aid Program
The Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) program offers educational assistance along with interest-free loans and personal grants. The focus of the Coast Guard Mutual Assistance (CGMA) program is helping solve valid short-term need situations, including education, for Coast Guard members and their families.
Civilian Educational Financial Aid Programs
Grant and loan programs are also available in the civilian market for military servicemembers and their families. As long as you continue to meet applicable requirements, grants don't have to be repaid. Federal loans need to be repaid but federal loans have low interest rates and flexible repayment plans. The primary federal grant is the Pell Grant, which is need-based as determined by information you submit on the Free Application for Federal Student Aid (FAFSA). The primary federal loan program is the Stafford Loan Program. You may also be eligible for aid from the school you plan to attend. Make sure to contact them for details.
Plan for Your Future
Your military training and experience may not be enough to secure a good-paying job in the civilian workforce. Use your time in the military and the educational assistance programs that are available to further your education so that you can be highly competitive in today's job market.
Use the DANTES and CLEP testing programs and earn credits that apply toward your college degree. Have your military training and experiences evaluated and pick up extra credits here also. This not only reduces the number of classes you need to take to earn your degree but it gets you that degree quicker.
Then you can use your G.I. Bill education benefits and other financial aid resources to finish your degree. It's to your benefit to capitalize on the time you've spent training and take advantage of the educational assistance opportunities provided by the military to complete your degree. Your future depends on it.
Portable Careers
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Army Family Education Assistance
Army Family Education Assistance for Spouses and Dependents
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the U.S. Army
Air Force Family Education Assistance
Air Force Family Education Assistance for Spouses and Dependents
Servicemembers Opportunity College for the U.S. Air Force
Navy Family Education Assistance
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for U.S. Navy
Navy Family Education Assistance for Spouses and Dependents
Coast Guard Family Education Assistance
Coast Guard Mutual Assistance Provides Emergency Financial Aid
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the U.S. Coastguard
Marines Family Education Assistance
Servicemembers Opportunity Colleges for the U.S. Marine Corp
Marine Corps Family Education Assistance for Spouses and Dependents
Learn More About Military Family Education Resources
Take Advantage of Career Advancement Accounts for Military Spouses
Scholarships for Military Families
Financial Aid for Military Families
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